GRANDE PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DIVISION
GPPSD Student Awarded Prestigious $125,000 Scholarship to the University of Calgary

The Grande Prairie Public School Division proudly announces the University of Calgary (U of C) has awarded Sam Ergando the Kennedy Scholars Academic Excellence Scholarship, a first for the Division. The scholarship, created by Paul Kennedy, is given out annually to one first year U of C student who shows exceptional leadership at the intersection of science and business and is worth up to $125,000.

"For me, this scholarship is life-changing," says Ergando, a Grade 12 student in The Comp's International Baccalaureate programme. "Not only because of the generous sponsorship but also because of the various networking and internship opportunities that come with it. I recognize the responsibility I now have and hope to use this opportunity and the ones still to come to be a generous contributor to my community, just as Mr. Kennedy has been."

Ergando said he has always had a passion for STEM, but taking a Finance Class opened his mind to an exciting application with plenty of room to innovate. "One day, I hope to help develop cutting-edge financial technology products that aid in the quantitative analysis of markets."

"We are thrilled for Sam and his family," shares Dennis Vobeyda, Principal of the Grande Prairie Composite High School. "Sam is an exceptional student and shows great promise. He is an inspiration, truly embodying what it means to be a Phoneix."

Sandy McDonald, Superintendent of GPPSD, enthusiastically agrees. "We sincerely congratulate Sam and his family. This incredible accomplishment is a direct result of his desire to learn, welcome challenges, and strive for success. We can't wait to see what Sam will do next and wish him all the best in his academic journey."

Ergando would like to thank the administrators and educators at his school for making the IB programme possible, including the generous people within the Grande Prairie community, "who have been and continue to be a blessing to myself and my family. Finally, and most importantly, a heartfelt thank you to my dear mother, whose courage and sacrifice serve as a testimony for both myself and others to draw inspiration from."

Quick Facts
Approximately $600,000 in scholarships have been awarded to IB students at the Grande Prairie Composite High School since the 2015-2016 school year:

• 2015/2016 - Loran Scholarship - up to $100,00
• 2015/2016 - TD Bank Scholarship - approx. $75,000
• 2016/2017- Schulich Scholarship - approx. $80,000
• 2019/2020 - Schulich Scholarship - approx. $80,000
• 2020/2021 - Schulich Scholarship - approx. $80,000
• 2021/2022 - Jim Dinning and Evelyn Main Chancellor's Scholarship - up to $60,000
• 2022/2023 - Kennedy Scholars Academic Excellence Scholarship - up to. $125,000

About the Kennedy Scholars Academic Excellence Scholarship

• Offered annually to an undergraduate student entering first year in the Faculty of Science majoring in Computer Science.
• Exceptional academic merit and promise
• Demonstrated commitment to entrepreneurial thinking, innovation or technology development and leadership qualities
• More information Kennedy Scholars Academic Excellence Scholarship (Outside of Calgary) | University of Calgary

About the IB programme at the Grande Prairie Composite High School (GPCHS)
The GPCHS is the only Alberta high school north of Edmonton to offer an IB programme, and students can begin their IB journey starting in grade 10.

• The IB program is an internationally recognized program designed to be an intellectually challenging and balanced program of education that prepares high school students for success at post-secondary and beyond
• Students who succeed in the IB programme are characterized as being "intellectually curious." They tend to demonstrate many of the following qualities: principled, inquiring, open-minded, reflective, caring, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, and balanced and resilient in the face of challenges.
• For more information, please visit the Grande Prairie Public School Division website at gppsd.ab.ca/IB.